The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Nausea can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like nausea here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here nausea is often associated with irritability, dry mouth and dry stools in the pattern “Stomach Heat or Fire”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause nausea.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of nausea we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat nausea.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause nausea
In Chinese Medicine nausea is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Heat or Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red centre
Stomach Fire indicates a true Excess of Heat in the Stomach, creating symptoms such as mouth ulcers, bad breath, intense thirst and gum bleeding. Stomach Fire can be the result of excessive intake of hot, spicy, greasy and deep fried foods or other factors such as alcohol, tobacco and sugar.
In addition to nausea, other symptoms associated with Stomach Heat or Fire include irritability, dry mouth and dry stools.
Stomach Heat or Fire is often treated with Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Rhubarb - Da Huang - as a key herb). Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that purge heat accumulation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Removes Heat and Dryness in the Lower Burner".
Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua) is the king ingredient for Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang, a formula used for Rebellious Qi
Rebellious Qi
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red), Red sides
Rebellious Qi is when Qi flows in the wrong direction. For instance, if one suffers from a rebellious Stomach Qi (a common case), the normal downward flow of Stomach Qi is disrupted and it goes upward instead. This may result in nausea, vomiting, belching or hiccupping.
In addition to nausea, other symptoms associated with Rebellious Qi include vomiting, belching and insomnia.
Rebellious Qi is often treated with Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Inula Flowers - Xuan Fu Hua - as a key herb). Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang belongs to the category of "formulas for a rebellious qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Regulates the downward flow of Stomach Qi".
Water Plantain (Ze Xie) is the king ingredient for Wu Ling San, a formula used for Yin Excess
Yin Excess
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Excess Yin is a Full Yin state pattern. Its symptoms are like those of the Cold and Damp Heat Pernicious Influences such as Edema. It is a result of over-exposure to cold environments and bad diet.
In addition to nausea, other symptoms associated with Yin Excess include poor appetite, feeling of heaviness and loose stools.
Yin Excess is often treated with Wu Ling San, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Water Plantain - Ze Xie - as a key herb). Wu Ling San belongs to the category of "formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes urination,".
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to nausea, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, poor appetite and vomiting.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menopausal Syndrome or Morning Sickness.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to nausea, other symptoms associated with Stomach Deficiency include poor appetite, depression and dry mouth.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stomach Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Morning Sickness.
Stomach Deficiency is often treated with Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dispel phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi".
Five herbal formulas that might help with nausea
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Removes Heat and Dryness in the Lower Burner. Removes constipation.
Why might Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang help with nausea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Heat or Fire' of which nausea is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stomach Heat Or Fire include irritability, dry mouth and dry stools.
Si Ni San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Regulates Liver and Spleen. Eliminates Internal Heat.
Why might Si Ni San help with nausea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Rebellious Qi' of which nausea is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Rebellious Qi include vomiting, belching and insomnia.
Wu Pi Yin
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Reduces edema, diuretic. Regulates and strengthens Spleen Qi.
Why might Wu Pi Yin help with nausea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yin Excess' of which nausea is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Yin Excess include poor appetite, feeling of heaviness and loose stools.
Wu Ling San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination,. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Promotes Qi transformation function. Drains Dampness. Clears edema.
Why might Wu Ling San help with nausea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which nausea is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Menopausal Syndrome.
Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1148 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm. Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen).
Why might Er Chen Tang help with nausea?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Deficiency' of which nausea is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Stomach Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Morning Sickness.
Acupuncture points used for nausea
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat nausea
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with nausea?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat nausea as a symptom, like Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang or Si Ni San for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with nausea?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat nausea as a symptom, like Wu Pi Yin or Wu Ling San for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with nausea?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat nausea as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with nausea?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat nausea as a symptom, like Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang or Er Chen Tang for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with nausea?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat nausea as a symptom, like Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang or Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Conditions associated with nausea
Absence of menstruation Menopausal syndrome Morning sickness
Other symptoms often associated with nausea
Dizziness Poor appetite Vomiting Feeling of heaviness Irritability Depression Dry mouth Dry throat Night sweats Belching